5 Point Harness, anyone?

Why don't they make high chairs with 5 point harnesses?

(see how proud she is? stinker!)

Feeding time would go sooooo much smoother...and cleaner! :)

Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still hear the songs,

I still see the lights

I still feel you love on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes and all of your cares

I'll even remind you to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you, you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment, to stay in His grace

I came here before you to help set your place

You don't have to be perfect all of the time

He forgives you the slip, if you continue the climb

To my family and friends,

Please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you,

In a new special way

I love you all dearly

Now don't shed a tear

Cause I'm spending my

Christmas with Jesus this year

This poem accompanied a gift I received from my dad on my first christmas with out my mom. It meant so much to me. I know it was written by some random man but the words really struck me. It truly felt like a letter that my mom could have sent down to us.

Maybe it was.

Each year as this time approaches (this is year 3) people so kindly ask me how I am doing. I'm okay. Not good. Not bad. Just okay. I typically have a break down (as I am right now) and cry when it hits me that I'm about to celebrate another Christmas without her.

Although this season brings with it some pain, I do feel immense joy.

It is a joy that I cannot explain - I've had people comment that "you seem to be doing so well with this whole thing". It is amazing. I really do cope well. I can't explain it other than that it is simply and purely by God's Grace alone.

I was so blessed with the 23 years I had with her.

Year by year I feel like God is helping us heal. I'm thankful for that.

Enough of this sad stuff. Enjoy your Christmas season! I know I will!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2010

Confection Dazzle Christmas

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."Psalm 95:2

Have a wonderful day! :)

Surprise....#2

On my actual birthday, Nick wanted to take just our small family out for supper. Little did I know - it was because when we returned home, several of our friends and their children would be awaiting our arrival for a surprise party planned by Nick. How sweet! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much, honey! Also a huge thanks to all of our friends that came ~ thanks for the sweet gifts and for helping Nick out. Amy - the cupcakes were FABULOUS! My absolute favorite!

Surprise!

Wow. Was I ever surprised Monday night! Shocked is more like it! Jenna called me a week ago and asked me to babysit her kids Monday night for a photoshoot - and I said yes. So - about an hour before she was to arrive she called and asked if she could take a few pictures of Adalynn and I before her photoshoot for something on her website. So - quickly I got dressed up for pictures, and got Addi dressed.

Surprisingly - Nick came home 45 minutes early. I was glad because then - I wouldn't have 5 children to take care of by myself...Then it seemed that Jenna was running later than I thought she should ESPECIALLY if she thought she'd take some pictures of Addi and I before the photoshoot.

Finally, we hear a door shut... So I said, honey - lets go help her with the boys! So we jump up and run to the front door. I peek out at the van and got VERY confused. It was Jane's van. Before I could put any more thought into it, 5 girls come running into my house shouting, "SURPRISE!"

Yep, I sure was surprised! Delightfully so! :)

They kidnapped me and took me to the Flat Top Grill for supper.

Then we were on to our Mission.

Red

vs. Blue

Just look at those faces! Makes me laugh so hard! :)

Gotta love her!:)

Lazer tagging was sooooo fun! I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd feel out of place but I had a blast! OF COURSE, after that we HAD to hit up Target and some dessert! But then we headed home!

THANKS SO MUCH GIRLS! I am so thankful to all of you for your sweet friendship. When I count my blessings, I'm sure to remember each one of you. I love you all so much! Thanks for being a part of my life and for making my birthday a memorable one. (But watch out for your next b-day! ;o ) hehe...

Stay tuned for more special birthday fun AND surprises!

Costume Party

I know you were all on the edge of your seats (until you saw Sarah's blog b/c she is WAY more on the ball than me! :) )

We were Mario and Luigi! Our boys were soooooooo excited as they are obsessed with the Mario brothers.

We had a great time! Thanks, K & S!

Costume Party

For the past 4 years we have attended a costume party. It has been soooooo much fun. (Check out Sarah's blog here - I got the idea to blog about this from her!)

And now, follow me back through the years...

2006

Danny and Sandy from "Grease"

2007

Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head

2008

Sarah Palin and John McCain

2009

Ollie Osterich and his farm girl

2010...Any guesses???

(pictures to come!)

Farm Boys

My boys love to hang out in the tractors during harvest. This year, we were watching Kaden, so he got to come too!

Savin' $$$$

Who doesn't love to save $$??? Here are a few of my fun saves I wanted to share:

First, about a month ago, Jane and I went to some Ft. Wayne garage sales....Here are my purchases totaling $103.00:

The items I purchased: (if I can remember them all)

• Pack and Play
• infant swing for a tree
• Bundle Me for Adalynn's car seat
• boppy pillow
• set of rechargeable monitors
• decorative pillow for Adalynn's room
• Craftsman cordless screwdriver
• 4 sweater/cardigans for myself
• 1 skirt for myself
• sweater dress for myself
• 1 pair jeans for myself
• 1 button down work shirt for Nick
• 1 church shirt Carter
• 2 sleepers for Adalynn
• jeans/shirt/shoes for Adalynn
• 1 jogging outfit Adalynn
• brand new Carter's brand dress for Adalynn
• pkg brand new burp cloths
• pkg brand new bibs
• brand new blanket
• soft pink blanket for Adalynn
• 2 pink baby bath towels
• baby bottle
• Melissa & Doug responsibiblity chart for boys
• 2 Tonka helicopters for boys
• Big tool bench with loads of tools for boys (not pictured)
• Candy Land game
• Parenting booklet on righteousness
• 3 childrens books
• cookbook
• 5 "Cars" cars
• 2 DVD's
• 5 Action hero men

WHOA! HOW FUN!

Secondly, here is a little deeper look into my mega savings from Walmart last week:

My total before add matching AND coupons would have been $73.61. After add matches, my total was $48.67. THEN add my coupons and my total was $ 15.27!!!

Pump for sale!

I sure hope this is an appropriate post...I hesitated to post it....but hopefully no one is offended! :)

She isn't for sale! :) But isn't she cute?

This on the other hand is for sale. I'm asking $25. It is in good shape. New I think it costs $50- 60. I won't be selling the actual sheild for sanitary reasons, but you can buy them for reasonable prices at Babies R Us.

If interested, leave a comment with your email address! :) THANKS!

Potluck

This post is really late! Oops!

We really enjoyed hosting potluck here at our house with Brooke & Vince F. We decided to do an invite-a-couple and really enjoyed it! We had a total of 30 people.

Our Menu:

Soup (served in bread bowls):

Mexican chili

Kale and white bean soup

Corn chowder

2 Salads

Cherry Jello

Cheese/crackers

Chipped beef roll ups

and for dessert...... we FONDUED! YUM!

I didn't get many photos, but here are a few!

classic Nick! :) Love it!

The lovely fondue plates! Yum....

Can't wait till we are on potluck again! :) I might have to invite random couples over until then! :) I love having people over!

Turn the other cheek

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The latest lesson Carter is trying to learn - to resist the urge to get revenge with his brother...

....He may be getting it...but Mason? Well...not so much...

The scenerio: The boys want to watch a show and Gma tells them no.

Mason: I want a show!

Gma: No, lets just play for now. Okay?

Mason: No! (and proceeds to slap gma on the face!!!) (EEK!)

Gma: (gently reprimanding) Mason, that wasn't nice, that hurt gma...

Carter: (instructs gma) Gma, you're supposed to turn the other cheek!

Gma: (giggling & losing her composure) Okay, well then, humpf. (and literally turns her other cheek to Mason)

Mason: With his mad face - proceeds to run up to gma and slap the other cheek!

So....ya'll think we better work with Mason on his interpretation of scripture? LOL!

id·i·ot [id-ee-uht]

Carter: "Hey mommy, your an idiot!" (in a complimentary voice)

Me: *gasp* "Carter! That is not a nice thing to say!"

Carter: *Confused* "But your a tom tom" (where did this come from? I don't know!) - "Gma told me that is an Idiot."

Gma: (listening from the other room) *Gasp* "No, Carter. I said it is an Indian!"

(Gma and I laugh under our breaths...)

Carter: "Well, then, what's an idiot?"

Gma: "An idiot is someone who isn't very smart, Carter."

Carter: (in deep thought) "Ohhhhhhhh....I know an idiot!"

Gma: (trying to dig herself out of this hole) "No, Carter you don't know any idiots..."

Carter: "Yeah! I do! (excitedly) It's Mason! He's not real smart...."

Gma and I: (laughing too much to correct him again!)

Oh the joys of the "definition" stage. He wants to know the definition of every new word he hears. Gotta love it!

A First

My baby girl is officially rolling over both sides with ease. This is the first time I found her on her belly in bed! I can't believe it.

*A side note...Please pray for Rich and Amber Pfister's daughter, Katelyn. She has developed a sickness in Haiti (they are missionaries there) and has been transported to a Florida hospital. The condition is serious. Pray, pray, PRAY!

Haircuts

It is pretty rare that I really get my hair cut. I mean, I get a trim every 2-3 months, but an actual cut.......Well it is rare. And when I finally decide to "take the plunge" I usually get whacked. I think this is one of those times! Take a look!

Before:

AFTER:

I'm not real sure about how to style it just yet, but I think I'm liking it! The whole bangs thing might take some time to get used to....

Science Kids

One of Carter's favorite thing to do:

BE SCIENCE KIDS!

THey start out with the primary colors: blue, red, and yellow in large cups.

Then they mix them to create the secondary colors: purple, green, and orange

Then they log it in their journals...

And finally....they drink the fun colors!